Lost memoir paints revered philosopher John Locke as ‘vain, lazy and pompous’
Rediscovered papers thought to record the memories of a longstanding friend say the ‘father of liberalism’ plagiarised and lied about never reading Thomas Hobbes
September 2019
Letters: two philosophers but only one hero
While Spinoza’s ideology – and name – are to be venerated, Locke was the author of a ‘worthless, racist tract’
Why western liberals have long picked the wrong historical hero
Kenan Malik
A newly discovered text shows how the battles of the past are still being fought today
Unknown text by John Locke reveals roots of 'foundational democratic ideas'
Newly discovered ‘Reasons for tolerateing Papists equally with others’ shows the Enlightenment thinker expressing unexpected social liberalism
June 2019
Liberalism is facing a crisis. But it’s not what Vladimir Putin thinks
Kenan Malik
With the decline of the left, only populism seems to offer a sense of social solidarity
October 2017
100 best nonfiction books of all time
The 100 best nonfiction books: No 90 – An Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke (1689)
Eloquent and influential, the Enlightenment philosopher’s most celebrated work embodies the English spirit and retains an enduring relevance
March 2016
Practices such as no-platforming threaten to strangle the roots of freedom
John Haldane
We must return to the roots of western liberalism if we’re to avoid becoming just a mass of unquestioning conformists
February 2013
Robert McCrum on books
English literature's 50 key moments from Marlowe to JK Rowling
What have been the hinge points in the evolution of Anglo-American literature? Here's a provisional, partisan list
January 2011
liberty central
Why deny prisoners the vote?
Martin Kettle
Martin Kettle: Reluctance to enfranchise prisoners is a hangover from the age of John Locke – a view of rights that sees the vote as a privilege
April 2010
General election 2010: Cif at the polls
John Locke? An open and shut case
Guy Dammann
Guy Dammann: Nick Clegg may be a Locke fan, but philosophers would make terrible legislators – and should stay away from politics
April 2007
How did John Locke get by without the web (and pies)?
Patrick Tomlin
I was thinking the other day how similar I am to the great philosophers down the ages. It's not that I've written any great philosophy; it's just that my working days are probably not too dissimilar to theirs, says Patrick Tomlin.
October 2004
Locke in
I've been too busy working on a week of events commemorating the tercentenary of John Locke's death here in the village of his birth to have noticed Martin Kettle's article before now (Comment, October 26; Letters, October 28).
Locke and liberalism
Letters: Martin Kettle's praise for John Locke's contribution to Britain's liberal tradition rightly criticised New Labour's failings (Comment, October 25).
Socialism is dead. Long live liberalism and social justice
Martin Kettle
Martin Kettle: John Locke is a prophet for our times, largely ignored in his own land.
